BGSU ATHLETIC TRAINING

What is an ATC? (Certified Athletic Trainer)

>>Definition

The Certified Athletic Trainer is highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs and other athletic health care settings.

>>Education

Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. In addition athletic trainers study human anatomy, human psychology/counseling. Certified athletic trainers also participate in extensive clinical affiliations with athletic teams under appropriate supervision.

>> Certification

Certified athletic trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). The certification examination administered by BOC consists of a written portion with multiple choice questions; an oral/practical section that evaluates the skill components of the domains within athletic training; and a written simulation test, consisting of athletic training related situations designed to approximate real-life decision making. This last portion of the test evaluates athletic trainers' ability to resolve cases similar to those they might encounter in actual practice. The examination covers a variety of topics within the five practice domains of athletic training:

• Prevention of athletic injuries
• Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries
• Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries
• Health care administration
• Professional development and responsibility

Once athletic trainers pass the certification examination proving skills and knowledge within each of the five domains, they use the designation "ATC."

Where do ATC's Practice?

>> Employment

High School
Athletic trainers in the high school work to prevent and treat athletic injuries which may happen during practice or competition. Some athletic trainer's teach at the high school during the day, while others may work at a sports medicine clinic.

College/University
At the college level the athletic trainer covers practice sessions and home and away competitions, supervises the educational experiences of student trainers and may teach sports medicine courses. Many colleges and universities around the country offer an NATA approved undergraduate curriculum where students major in athletic training.

Clinical
In a sports medicine clinic, athletic trainers have a variety of responsibilities. They may work with patient treatment and rehabilitation, provide athletic training coverage for a high school or small college and conduct coaches certification workshops and other sports medicine educational programs.

Industrial
The Industrial sector is one of the fastest growing practice settings for ATCs. Many ATC's work in factories and corporations to help those businesses lower injury rates, boost morale, and help with fitness awareness and integration. Duties of an Industrial ATC can range from job site intervention and evaluations, job coaching, injury prevention/education, rehabilitation, and fitness consulting to name a few. The Industrial ATC deals with a diverse population of blue and white collar workers in a wide range of industries. This area of practice for ATC's is virtually endless as the need for injury prevention/education and rehabilitation is present in every sector of industry. You can find Industrial ATCs present in the auto industry, railroad, transportation, energy companies, and entertainment companies as a few examples.

Professional
Athletic trainers work year-round with the professional sports teams in all over the country, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.

Ohio Licensure Standards

>> Practicing in Ohio

In order to practice in Ohio you must have the following:

> A degree from an accredited four-year college or university. > Satisfaction of the following minimum athletic training requirements:

• Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Physiology of Exercise
• Kineseology
• Psychology
• First Aid and CPR
• Public, Community, and School Health
• Nutrition
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Fundamentals of Athletic Training
• Advanced Athletic Training

> A minimum of 800 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer.

> Successful completion of a written, practical, and oral examination administered by the National Athletic Trainers Association.

> Licensure through the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training Board.

Click here for more information on Ohio Licensure!